Smoking Bans
Smoking bans are laws and regulations that prohibit smoking in public places in an effort to reduce second hand smoke inhalation for non-smoking employees. Smoking bans can also lower healthcare costs, create a more productive workplace, lower the cost of labor, reduce risk of fire, improve cleanliness, reduce energy use (i.e. for decreased ventilation needs), lead to a healthier workplace environment, and encourage smoking cessation among workers.
Article 1 of the US Constitution does not grant the United States congress the power to restrict
smoking or tobacco use. Therefore, all smoking bans are issued by the individual state, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA, is the agency responsible for enforcing safety and health legislation in the workplace. OSHA was created in response to the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 in order to help employers provide a safe working environment for their employees. Since OSHA’s establishment, injury and illness rates in the workplace have dropped 60 percent, and occupational deaths have dropped to their lowest annual number since 1992.
OSHA has a set of requirements that each employer must follow to comply with smoking
legislation. Employers are required to uphold or adopt the necessary practices in order to protect workers on the job. They must be well versed and compliant with standards relevant to their establishment, and No Smoking signs and labels must be clearly displayed in the workplace in states where a smoking ban is enforced.
In 1975, Minnesota became the first state to pass a smoking ban, titled the Minnesota Clean
Indoor Air Act. On October 1, 2007, Minnesota passed the Freedom to Breathe Act, banning smoking in all public places.
Currently, there are 35 states with some form of smoking ban. Each state has its own laws governing smoking in at least one of the following: restaurants, bars, and non-hospitality workplaces. Legislation requires No Smoking Signs to be posted in these
areas to enforce this policy.
There are a number of No Smoking products on the market that make it easy to clearly post policies throughout the workplace, as well as provide smokers with a separate area to enforce these smoking policies. Emedco.com provides No Smoking
signs and labels, as well as a number of other accessories for disposal and shelter in regulated smoking areas. Custom signs and labels are also available.
No Smoking Products from Emedco.com are guaranteed to meet all smoking regulations and legislation, and are known for their large selection, custom options, fast shipping, and high quality products. For more information, visit www.Emedco.com